Saturday, December 15, 2018

There are only a few days left to enter in Canada's Metal Battle -I know lots of bands that could enter this across the country, what are you waiting for?This is your invitation to possibly make it onto one of the biggest stages that supports Heavy Metal in the world!! Next August's event is already sold out , so the winning band will have a ticket into the sold out event!

Below is from Asher Media Releations:One band to rule them all! Going on its sixth year, Wacken Metal Battle Canada returns to present one unsigned Canadian band to conquer hundreds and perform at the world's largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air. The 2019 line up includes Sabaton, Parkway Drive, Demons & Wizards, Powerwolf, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo, Within Temptation, Meshuggah and many more. Full details below:

Bands interested in participating in 2019 battles can apply at http://www.metalbattle.ca Deadline to submit December 21st.Year six of these battles is a very exciting one because, for the first time, Wacken Metal Battle Canada will be expanding to St. John's, NL and Halifax, NS to make the competition officially coast to coast. A full list of participating regions listed below.ON - Toronto ON - Hamilton ON - OttawaQC - Montreal QC - Quebec City SK - Saskatoon AB - Calgary AB - Edmonton BC - Vancouver/Lower Mainland BC - Island BC - Interior NL - St. John's NS - HalifaxIn addition to the expansion to the East coast, Wacken Metal Battle Canada will be hosting the 2019 national final for the first time in Western Canada. The host city will be Calgary, AB, moving it from Toronto, ON, where the national final has been held for the last 5 years.Wacken Metal Battle Canada organizer JJ Tartaglia comments:"I think these new changes for 2019 will be a big help in keeping Metal Battle Canada exciting for both the bands and the audience. The idea of moving around the national final has been tossed around for a while now, so holding the finals in Calgary this year will be a refreshing twist on the structure. And the East Coast! As a Maritimer myself, I couldn't be happier with the addition of Halifax and St. John's, now making these events truly coast to coast."Winner of this year's Wacken Metal Battle Canada national final will receive $2,000 CAD towards airfare to travel and perform at the 30th edition of Wacken Open Air taking place from August 1st – 3rd, 2019 in Wacken, Germany. The Canadian champion will also have the opportunity to win monetary and gear prizes from the international Wacken Metal Battle. Trailer for Waken 2019

Winners of the International Wacken Metal Battle will receive cash and other prizes (2019 prizes still to be announced).2018 Prizes were the following: 1st Place– Slot to play at the Full Metal Holiday Festival in Mallorca including flight and accommodation – 5000€ from the Wacken Foundation and more!2nd Place– 4000€ from the Wacken Foundation and more!3rd Place– 3000€ from the company Pohl-Boskamp and more!4th Place- 2000€ from the Wacken Foundation and more!5th Place– 1000€ from the Wacken Foundation and more!List of previous Canadian winners:Below each of the bands names are their performances from that years Waken Open Air.Great turn outs for these events.Centuries of Decay (2018) Full set from Waken 201820:29 mins

Profaner (2016)

Vesperia (2015)

Mutank (2014)

Crimson Shadows (2013)

About:Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance of winning their spot among 29 other countries’ champions, and representing Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air, which has been taking place in Wacken , Germany for the last 29 years. The winner of Wacken Metal Battle Canada will perform at the 2019 festival taking place from August 1st – 3rd.For more info:Official Website: http://www.metalbattle.caFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/MetalBattleCanadaTwitter: @MetalBattleCANInstagram: @MetalBattleCanYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WackenMetalBattleCAN

Friday, December 14, 2018

Blaze is a low-key movie about a singer who is not known by many. I had not heard of the man myself before watching the film, he is in fact a real person and the film was co-written by his widow Sybil Rosen and Ethan Hawke, he also stars as the Dj sort of as a narrative of the story in a way. Ethan Hawke also directed the movie.

This is not your standard musical bio-pic instead we have a narrative that is circular in telling the story of Blaze Foley, some mesmerizing performances along the way to keep interest.He was an unapologetic person, believing in his words in his music , his love for others even though at one point his love for inanimate objects would be the reason for his split with his wife Sybil Rosen.

There is a beautiful connection between the characters in this film and is brought to life by Ben Dickey(Blaze Foley)& Alia Shawkat(Sybil Rosen)not often that an actor/singer can pull of a performance like this.Where other bio-pics may have the name of the artists to guarantee the success of the film, instead Ehtan Hawke relies on the acting of his lead actors and supporting cast.

Quite often there are scenes shot such as above , we are an observer on a man and his surroundings , which fits perfect seeing as he was a man of mystery to a lot of people. Allowing others to only see what he wanted them to see, so the framing of the scene makes sense and works.

As the story unfolds it becomes more interesting he is at one point of the film becomes irate that a man is using the phone in the small space of the area he is performing in and shouting as well. Blaze makes some comments and the man realizes that his remarks are about him and subsequently an argument ensues , a fight follows.Where other films would have used this as a selling feature for the film, this does not after all the film is not about that, it's about the artist and the songs he sings from his soul and who they are written for.

I think for the story being told here ,we needed this smaller approach to it and I applaud the filmmakers for doing so. There is a smooth transition in the editing of the film.While he is in the truck waiting for Sybil to come from the Dr's where she had an abortion , he sings a song of random thoughts to himself. She comes back to the truck and the scene ends with us following a man walking in front of the local store to the T & T Liquor & Lounge. We follow him through the store and into the lounge where Blaze is on the stage(a corner of the lounge)he is the man that starts the argument that leads to the fight in the film.

That is the other thing about the film is that all of the violence and there is very little, is all off screen.Again I feel that they didn't want to make the story of the violence but about the man and the music he made for all of us to enjoy. He became the unsung Texas songwriting legend that helped spawn the likes of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.

Like many that desire the spotlight of fame , they often become more alone in their personal lives , his love for drugs and alcohol would not be his demise but rather trying to protect a dear friends money from being taken by his son.Another argument takes place off screen where Blaze is shot and succumbs to his injuries. We are witness to the last few minutes of his life, not in graphic images of his wound but just his life taken at such a young age.His most recognized song that many Disney fans would know is the lead song from "Robin Hood", at least it was for me when I heard it in the film.It starts today in theaters across CanadaToronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Halifax (Cineplex)

Thursday, December 13, 2018

From the first strum of the guitar to the fast beating drums and bass , comes old school thrash very heavy influenced by Slayer & others throughout the album. Maybe not for the rest of the song , this sure shows signs of influence and some great playing overall.

Photo Credit:

Niklas Niessner

Even their music video has the old school approach, which is great.Here is "Dead Inside"

Below is from Napalm Records

The idyllic slopes and crystalline lakes of beautiful Bavaria stood no chance when DUST BOLT emerged in 2006 to encrust Germany and the rest of the world in hefty, Bay Area-influenced thrash metal featuring crossover influences and killer melodies. The four piece elevates it‘s trademark sound to perfection on fourth long player Trapped in Chaos: profound lyrics and dark melodies succumb to the lethal grooves of old school monster „Dead Inside“ before you`ll get swept off your feet by the hyper speed aggression of „The Bad Ad“. „Shed My Skin“ proclaims the Toxic Waltz 2.0 in particularly nasty fashion, and DUST BOLT prove once more how pure hostility, massive hooks and melodic vocals are the ultimate recipe for a thrashfest between retro and modern. Catch them on their headlining tour Spring 2019!

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Over 35 Artists Will Celebrate 35 #1 Hits and the 35th Anniversary of "Friends"

Nashville, Tenn. – With over 45 Dove awards, three Grammy awards, and an American Music award, Michael W. Smith has forever enshrined his mark in the music history books. Smith garnered yet another Grammy nod last Friday with a nomination for 'Best Contemporary Christian Music Album' for his latest worship effort, 'Surrounded.'

Dubbed ‘35 Years of Friends: Celebrating The Music of Michael W. Smith,’ music lovers will experience over 35 artists, from all genres, performing a set list to include many of Smith’s 35 #1 hit singles. In addition, 2018 marks the 35th Anniversary of Smith’s Top 10 single “Friends,” which helped introduce his music to both secular and non-secular audiences. Smith once again shared the song with the world when he performed it at the Washington, D.C. memorial service for his dear friend, President George H.W. Bush, last Wednesday.

"Michael is a Christian music icon and we can think of no better way to celebrate him than with this star-studded lineup we have put together,” says Outback Concerts’ Morgan Carney. “It’s going to be an event not to be missed, and will be a fantastic celebration of one of the greats.”

"I’ve had the privilege of working with Michael for over thirty years," said John Huie, Head of Music at CAA in Nashville. "I’ve seen his music impact people from all walks of life - from Presidents to pedestrians. This celebration of his contributions to music and the impact of the song 'FRIENDS' will be very special. It’s been fun watching it come together as so many artists from all genres are anxious to celebrate Michael and his music. An event like this is a first for a Christian artist – and it’s going to be great!"

Here is Micheal performing his song "Friends"(live)

"Putting a tribute event together can be a tremendous amount of work, unless you are doing a tribute to Christian superstar Michael W. Smith," said Tony Conway (Conway Entertainment Group/Ontourage). "I have been a fan and follower of his music and mission in life since he started performing. Every single artist that his manager Chaz and I talked with said yes right away. It is an honor to work alongside Michael, Chaz and the promoter, Mike Smardak of Outback Concerts. One thing we can all promise, and that is this will be a very special, one night only concert, with lots of surprises and magical collaborations."

Tickets go on sale at 10 am (CT) Friday, December 14 at all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena.

About Michael W. Smith:

Michael W. Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 30+ years. During his storied career, he's written over 30 #1 songs, been honored with three GRAMMY® Awards and 45 Dove Awards, one American Music Award, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums. His most recent USA Today, Yahoo! Music and Billboard-acclaimed studio album A Million Lights and Parade, Good Morning America-featured and GRAMMY nominated live worship album Surrounded have together become his 30th and 31st Top 10 hits on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart, more than any other solo artist in history. He's also given back to the global community. Smith has raised funds to battle AIDS in Africa; started Rocketown, a safe haven for young people in Tennessee to meet and find hope; and has helped more than 70,000 children through Compassion International. He has also written several bestselling books, including Old Enough To Know and Friends Are Friends Forever. For more information, visit www.michaelwsmith.com.

Excited I was when I heard that Soen had announced their new album coming in the New Year. Imagine my excitement to receive the album in my inbox.Being released Feb 1, 2019 it has all things classic one would expect from this exceptional band and something more.This is not a review of the album , that will come soon.This is a showcase that their new album is coming for you like minded fans and for the people that have not had a chance to check them out before , now is your chance.

Having spent the last six months digging deep into the muddy depths of their emotions, the nine songs comprising SOEN’s Lotus are intoxicating, addictive aural therapies, questioning much of today’s darkness while juxtaposing them with moments of great escape and hope.

“We are all very fortunate to have this place where we can go and explore thoughts, perspectives and emotions which everyday life maybe does not have the room for,” says Martin Lopez, one of SOEN’s founding members. “There are definitely things that we say, and places we go, in SOEN which would be very hard to express without us coming together and creating music.”

Produced by David Castillo and Iñaki Marconi at Ghostward Studios and Studio 6 between July and October 2018, the album marks the first recorded SOEN work of new Canadian-born guitarist Cody Ford, whilst the center-point of the album remains those trademark, snap-heavy, progressive SOEN riffs. Songs such as “Rival,” “Covenant,” and “Martyrs” are dissertations on modern societies, fraught with poetic, finitely designed confusion and chaos, yet as the name Lotus suggests, there is still strength, beauty, and purity to be extracted from what at times seems like an endless cycle of human regression.

“The world right now is undeniably a very strange, tense place,” says Lopez. “I think the songs clearly reflect that, but they also reflect that we must now be stronger than ever in challenging, confronting, and dealing with the pandemonium life throws at us all.”

The lavish Lotus artwork features nothing other than an enigmatic and engaging copper-reflective pyramid, offering elements of the sixth sense and greater consciousness before gate-folding open to reveal a girl touched by the copper aura.

“We each have our own personal ideas as to what it means,” says Lopez, “but we’d much rather discuss what others think, what our audience thinks, what the media thinks… I think it’s extremely important that we all communicate with each other and take the time to fully conceive our own meanings and interactions with life and creativity.”

“Ultimately,” concludes Ekelöf, “Lotus is about rising from whatever darkness, or dark places, you might find yourself. And its inspiration comes from a deep motivation to not just settle for the situation you might find yourself in. Lotus is about changing life — both your own and your surroundings for which we must all take responsibility — and make them better rather than letting darkness pacify you and take you down.”

Writes Angry Metal Guy in an advance investigation of the record, “Lotus is an album defined by its contrasts. On the one hand, the record has a metal core. The riffing is massive, with an overdriven guitar tone that strongly differentiates it from Lykaia, while drums and bass drive the songs forward. These moments can be straightforward SOEN tracks like ‘Opponent,’ but there are moments like a hat-tip to death metal riffing in ‘Rival’ or a proggy ‘awkward headbanging moment’ in ‘Covenant’ that mark SOEN as a band with a metal heart… Lotus is also a haunting, fragile album. The album’s softer tracks are no less intense than the heavy material and evoke the work of Pink Floyd (‘Lotus’) or Steven Wilson (doing Pink Floyd [‘River’]). In the tradition of the heart-wrenching ‘The Words,’ songs like ‘Lunacy’ and ‘River’ ache with loss and pain both lyrically and musically. In these moments, it’s the keys and guitars which bear the delicate, melancholic tone.”

SOEN’s Lotus will be released on CD, LP, and digital formats. For preorders go to This Location

SOEN will bring Lotus to European stages this spring on a near-three-week headlining tour from March 12th through April 6th. Support will be provided by Finland’s Wheel and Denmark’s Ghost Iris. For ticket info visit facebook.com/SoenMusic. Additional European dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Monday, December 10, 2018

From the heart of Nashville and some of the people that brought us The Nashouse, comes a new show "NashLine"
I am happy to once again be sharing the show with you folks here again and I thank you for continuing to support my blog and the work I do here.

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